In-depth reporting on government actions, political parties, and policy debates in Panama. We track elections, legislative changes, and the actors shaping public life.
China opened its UN Security Council presidency by stressing its partnership with Panama, even as both countries navigate tensions tied to the Panama Ports Company dispute. President José Raúl Mulino said Beijing now views the matter as an arbitration issue, not a government-to-government conflict.
IFARHU will begin receiving documents on May 4 for the 2026 General Scholarship Competition, open to primary, secondary, and university students. The program is a key source of educational support in Panama.
Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 41 people in 24 hours, raising fresh doubts about the durability of the ceasefire. The attacks highlight the risk of a wider regional escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.
Panama’s Ministry of Security said more than 8,000 rounds of ammunition and 600 firearms were destroyed after police and prosecutors removed them from circulation. The move highlights ongoing efforts to reduce illegal weapons and strengthen public safety.
A U.S. aircraft carrier and missile destroyer have entered Panamanian waters, drawing attention to Panama’s strategic maritime position. The visit highlights the country’s role as a key gateway between oceans and a focal point for regional security.
Panama has introduced a tax reform that would require international companies to prove real operations in the country to keep favorable treatment on passive income. Businesses that fail to show economic substance could face a 15% tax.
A tanker hijacking off Yemen and a series of recent seizures near Somalia have raised fresh alarms over maritime security in a critical global shipping lane.
Spain’s prime minister has demanded the release of a Spaniard detained after Israeli forces intercepted an aid flotilla bound for Gaza. The incident adds fresh diplomatic pressure around the blockade and the worsening humanitarian crisis.
War is intensifying Iran’s economic troubles, with rising prices and shrinking jobs adding pressure to a country already weakened by sanctions. The fallout could ripple through energy markets and global trade.
Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha Moya has taken temporary leave amid US drug trafficking allegations, denying he shielded a cartel. The case adds pressure to Mexico’s long-running battle with organized crime.
Panama’s Passport Authority will offer special weekend service on May 2 and 3 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for passport procedures and pickup. The temporary schedule gives applicants extra time to complete travel document needs.
The Pentagon will withdraw about 5,000 U.S. troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, intensifying tensions between Washington and Berlin. The move reflects President Trump’s push to reshape America’s military footprint abroad amid disputes over the war with Iran.
SENNIAF urged authorities to protect minors’ rights during curfew enforcement in San Miguelito and to contact parents immediately if a child is detained. The agency said child protection law must take priority over local measures.
Israeli air strikes killed 10 people in southern Lebanon, raising fresh concerns about the fragile ceasefire and the risk of wider escalation with Hezbollah. The violence could also affect global markets and energy costs.
Israel intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla at sea, and activists detained in the operation have now arrived in Istanbul. The episode is the latest flashpoint in the long-running conflict over access to Gaza.
Trump accused the U.S. Navy of acting “like pirates” amid an ongoing blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy shipments. The remarks add new political heat to an already volatile U.S.-Iran confrontation.
The Panama Canal has become a new flashpoint in U.S.-China tensions, highlighting Panama’s strategic role in global trade and regional diplomacy. The dispute underscores the country’s control over a waterway vital to shipping and commerce.
The Panama Canal has become a fresh point of tension in the wider U.S.-China rivalry, underscoring its strategic role in global trade. For Panama, the dispute highlights the canal’s importance to both sovereignty and the national economy.
Nayib Bukele has become a defining figure in Latin American politics, praised for crushing gang violence and criticized for dismantling democratic checks. His next moves will help shape the region’s debate over security and power.
China is pressing Washington and Beijing to prioritize the ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the shipping chokepoint is a global security concern. The dispute could ripple through energy prices and trade routes far beyond the Gulf.